Yoga Booty Ballet Basic and Advanced workouts
Exercise takes on an almost spiritual dimension in this DVD, featuring total body training and meditation for people at just about every fitness level.
A 15-minute "Rehearsal and Guided Meditation" shows proper form and breathing techniques demonstrated by instructors Gillian Marloth and Teigh McDonough. Following is a brief period of contemplation and intention-setting, amidst koi ponds and clear blue skies, for the workouts that follow.
The basic workout runs about 45 minutes, and uses light hand weights along with the "squishy ball" for abdominal and inner-thigh exercises, and a mat for the Hatha yoga poses. Everything is done barefoot, though the instructors recommend wearing shoes if you or your doctor think that you should. The "booty," or cardio section, features high-energy (but low impact) dance movements including "stir the pot," "bad kitty," and "chicken leg." This fat-burning section is brief--about 20 minutes--but you can repeat it for more training.
No prior knowledge of ballet is required, and with the emphasis on having fun, if you don't do all of the moves exactly as shown, you'll fit right into the class of real people working out behind the teachers. Strength-training exercises include classics such as lateral raises, overhead presses, hammer curls, and squats, done in an outdoor, breezy, stunning set adorned with drapes and foliage. A yoga stretch concludes the workout, with attention paid to balance and relaxation. Modifications are shown for varying levels of flexibility.
In the hour-long advanced workout, you will use your own body for resistance. Many plié squats are done on your toes, and, along with other deep knee-bending exercises, will intensively work your lower body. Booty/cardio training is done for about 25 minutes as dancing floor work, with little jumping but a lot of hip shaking and swiveling. Ballet exercises follow, and a Hatha yoga section that stretches your entire body concludes the workout. There are no hand weight or abdominal exercises in the advanced workout, but the ballet and yoga training will work all of your muscles.
The workouts are effective, and require little equipment. If you are already in great shape, you may find the cardio training to be insufficient, and best suited as an "off day" variety workout to complement the rest of your training. The yoga in the advanced workout is wonderful as a stand-alone routine for unwinding after a long day, or for stretching out after another workout.
Production quality is excellent, with captions accurate and well-placed, and camera work that lets you clearly see proper form for each segment or exercise. The nature of Yoga Booty Ballet, with all of its movement, means that a lot of workout time is spent looking away from the television--particularly in the yoga sections--and instruction can be difficult to follow when you have to break your eyes away from the screen. Marloth and McDonough also trade off giving instruction within individual segments, which can be distracting when relying on captions.
Previewing the DVD can help; you may also need to replay a few sections to get full benefit from Yoga Booty Ballet. But if you like to dance or are ready for something bright and warm in the middle of winter, add this workout to your rotation and you won't be disappointed.
Released in 2004; part of a set retailing for about $40 (multiple DVDs and the squishy ball). There are several Yoga Booty Ballet workouts; see http://www.beachbody.com for ordering information. Individual and complete-set DVDs are also available from online booksellers and online DVD rental services.
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